It began on a quiet morning when Lucas asked Michael to come with him
"Somewhere important," he said.
Michael looked at him curiously but agreed.
They drove in silence for a while, the road stretching ahead under a soft blue sky
When the car finally stopped, Michael stepped out and looked around.
A cemetery.
Calm. Peaceful. Surrounded by tall trees and soft green grass.
Michael turned to Lucas, surprised.
Lucas didn't say anything at first
He simply held out a small bouquet of colorful flowers.
Michael took them quietly.
Then Lucas led the way.
They walked slowly between the rows of graves until Lucas finally stopped.
He stood still.
Michael followed his gaze.
A simple headstone
Lucas' mom 's grave.
Lucas knelt down gently and placed his flowers.
Michael did the same.
For a moment, there was only silence.
Then Lucas spoke.
"She loved flowers," he said softly. "Said they reminded her that even the shortest life could still be beautiful."
Michael listened quietly.
Lucas smiled faintly, though his eyes were distant.
"When she was sick… she used to hold my hand and talk about the future."
His voice softened.
"One day she told me… 'Lucas, don't be afraid of love. One day someone will come into your life… someone who will stay with you in every situation.'"
Lucas let out a small breath.
"I didn't understand it then."
He turned his head slowly toward Michael.
"But now I do."
Michael's chest tightened.
Lucas reached for his hand.
"I found that person."
Michael's eyes filled slightly, but he smiled.
They sat together under a nearby tree after a while.
That was when Lucas told him everything.
About the will.
About what his mother had left behind.
"A car company," Lucas said, still sounding like he couldn't believe it himself. "Her main business."
Michael's eyes widened.
"And her luxury hair brand… it's still running."
Lucas continued.
"Five mansions in the United States… properties in New York, California, and Miami."
Michael stared at him.
Lucas laughed softly.
"Boutique hotels too… in Paris, Dubai, Cape Town… and some investments I'm still trying to understand."
Michael shook his head in disbelief.
"And cars… Rolls-Royce, Bentley, Mercedes-Benz…"
He paused.
Then he looked at Michael seriously.
"She didn't just leave me wealth."
His fingers tightened slightly around Michael's.
"She gave me a future."
Michael smiled softly.
"A future we'll build together," Lucas added.
The kiss started slowly.
Not out of hesitation…
But intention.
Michael leaned in first this time—closing the distance with a kind of quiet certainty that surprised even him.
Lucas responded instantly, one hand resting at the back of Michael's neck, pulling him closer—not forcefully, just enough to say stay here.
The world outside disappeared.
Michael didn't shout when he saw the email.
He just stared at it.
Longer than necessary.
Like it might disappear if he blinked.
"Congratulations…"
That word alone made his chest tighten.
Law.
United States.
Everything he had worked for—every late night, every sacrifice, every moment he chose discipline over distraction—was right there in front of him.
Real.
Across the city, Lucas had the opposite reaction.
He did shout.
Loud enough to scare the house staff.
"I GOT IN?!"
He laughed, spinning around the room with his phone in his hand like a child who had just been handed the world.
"Business Administration… of course it's business," he muttered, grinning. "Mum really said 'you will suffer managing billions, my son.'"
He dropped onto the bed, still smiling.
Then immediately dialed.
Michael picked up before the first ring ended.
"You saw it," Lucas said instantly.
Michael exhaled softly.
"Yeah."
"Say it properly," Lucas pushed. "I need drama. I need emotion. I need tears."
Michael paused.
Then—
"I got the scholarship."
Lucas went quiet for a second.
Then softer—
"I'm proud of you."
Michael smiled faintly.
"Me too… I mean—I'm proud of you too."
Lucas laughed.
"Wow. Romance is truly alive."
A small silence followed.
Not awkward.
Just… full.
Then Lucas spoke again, lighter this time—
"So… future lawyer in America."
"And future billionaire boss in China."
Lucas hummed.
"That sounds very long distance.
Michael didn't respond immediately.
Lucas noticed.
"Hey," he said more gently, "don't start thinking too far ahead. Not today."
Michael exhaled slowly.
"I'm not."
"Good. Because I have a better idea."
Michael raised an eyebrow slightly, even though Lucas couldn't see him.
"I don't like that tone already."
"You will," Lucas said. "One night. Before we both leave. No stress, no planning, no 'Michael thinking face.' Just us."
Michael hesitated.
Not because he didn't want to.
But because he did.
Too much.
"…Okay," he said finally.
Lucas smiled instantly.
"Good. Because I already booked it."
Michael blinked.
"You what?"
"Hotel," Lucas said casually. "Nice one too. If we're going to be emotional, we might as well be comfortable."
Michael shook his head, but couldn't stop the small smile forming.
"You're unbelievable."
"And you love it."
Another pause.
Then Lucas added—quieter now—
"Come early, okay?"
Something about the way he said it felt different.
Not playful.
Not teasing.
Almost… serious.
Michael noticed.
"…Lucas?"
"Yeah?"
"Why does this feel like a goodbye already?"
Lucas didn't answer immediately.
When he did, his voice was lighter again—but not enough to hide it completely.
"It's not," he said.
"Just… don't be late."
The call ended.
Michael stared at his phone for a moment longer than he should have.
That strange feeling settled in his chest again.
Not fear.
Not exactly.
But something close.
And somehow—
without either of them realizing it—
That one night they were planning...
would be the moment everything started to slip out of their control.